Barstow Street and surrounding area businesses have been trying to increase activity and interest by staying open longer on the first Friday of every month. The plan is to expose lots of different people to the businesses through a different lens.

Tangled Up In Hue’s co-owner Erin Roesler said the purpose is for the downtown businesses to stay open a little bit later on the first Friday of the month. She said they also wanted to offer an incentive for people to come down and spend time shopping, eating and drinking downtown.

Businesses involved are Tangled Up In Hue, Revival Records, Clancy’s, The Local Store and the Mousetrap.

Tangled Up In Hue, an art collective that also sells clothing, jewelry and accessories, pioneered the first Friday program three years ago.

“It’s kind of been a struggle to get some other businesses to be as enthusiastic about it as we are,” said Roesler. “We’ve been doing it every month since, well, we started it.”

The businesses don’t usually operate as normal, as they plan events to spice up the scene. Tangled Up In Hue’s co-owner Jamie Kyser said her business has various activities that go on.

“We have a featured artist and live music,” said Kyser. “We also have in-store specials.”

Tangled Up In Hue also has live glass blowing. The event hours are from 6 to 9 p.m.

Right next door, Revival Records, a local records and music store, takes part in the downtown first Friday deals as well.

“From five to nine we offer discounts on merchandise,” said owner Billy Siegel. “We have games and artists that come as well.”

Siegel said the downtown first Friday deals present a great opportunity for consumers to experience something a little different downtown.

In the slow season when it’s cold outside, Roesler said some businesses don’t want to stay open. All of the businesses involved believe downtown first Friday’s will help revitalize a part of Eau Claire that has been sluggish, especially throughout the winter, she said.

The Mousetrap Tavern doesn’t have a lot of deals, but manager Sarah Prock said happy hour goes until 7 p.m. and customers can get a Big Donkey pizza and a domestic pitcher of beer for $14.

The Local Store, a business which sprouted from the culture and entertainment magazine Volume One, and features products including apparel, books, music, art and more, takes part in the first Friday deals as well.

Store associate Paul Brandt said The Local Store doesn’t have a set monthly deal, but instead they try to match their deals to local events.

“This weekend there’s the Banbury Art Crawl,” Brandt said. “So we’re offering buy one get one half off of all Volume One sold art.”

Brandt continued to say they can’t put deals on the products sold by local artists through the Local Store.

For February’s first Friday special, Tangled Up In Hue will be celebrating their five-year anniversary. They will have 20 percent off merchandise that they make in house along with food and drinks.

“We’ll have live music like always,” said Roesler. “This is a milestone for us.”